Which is an aspect of central sensitization?

Which is an aspect of central sensitization?

• A. Facilitation of synaptic transmission in the spinal cord.
• B. Inhibition of the endogenous opioid system.
• C. Decreased nociception processing.
• D. Peripheral demyelination.

Answer: (A)

Central sensitization means the neurons in the spinal cord become more responsive to incoming pain signals after persistent noxious input. The key feature is facilitation of synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn: sustained peripheral stimulation increases release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, activates NMDA receptors, and triggers wind-up and longer-lasting changes that heighten the output of spinal neurons. This heightened spinal excitability underlies amplified pain and often pain from stimuli that wouldn’t normally hurt. That’s why the best choice is facilitation of synaptic transmission in the spinal cord. Inhibition of the endogenous opioid system isn’t the defining process of central sensitization, and central sensitization involves increased, not decreased, nociceptive processing. Peripheral demyelination is a peripheral issue, not a central amplification of spinal nociception.

Central sensitization means the neurons in the spinal cord become more responsive to incoming pain signals after persistent noxious input. The key feature is facilitation of synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn: sustained peripheral stimulation increases release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, activates NMDA receptors, and triggers wind-up and longer-lasting changes that heighten the output of spinal neurons. This heightened spinal excitability underlies amplified pain and often pain from stimuli that wouldn’t normally hurt.

That’s why the best choice is facilitation of synaptic transmission in the spinal cord. Inhibition of the endogenous opioid system isn’t the defining process of central sensitization, and central sensitization involves increased, not decreased, nociceptive processing. Peripheral demyelination is a peripheral issue, not a central amplification of spinal nociception.